Schooner Vocabulary
Dictionary of Boating Terms

C Sailing Terms

Cabin -A compartment for passengers or
crew.Cabin sole -the bottom surface of the enclosed space under the deck of a
boatCable - The rope or chain made fast to the anchor. 2 .Nautical unit of
distance, having a standard value of 1/10th of a nautical mile (608 ft.) or 100
fathoms.Cable-bitt - Large vertical timbers, morticed into the keel, to
which anchor and mooring cables were attached.Cardinal points- The points of North, South, East and West as marked on a
compass rose.Carlins- Structural pieces running fore and aft between the beams.Carrick bend- A knot used to tie two lines together.Carvel planking - Solid wood planks, butted together, fastened to the
frames, with a flexible caulking between the planks.Catamaran- A twin hulled boat. Catamaran sailboats are known for their
ability to plane and are faster than single hulled boats (monohulls) in some
conditions.Cat Boat
A sailboat rigged with one mast and one sail.Chafe - damage to a line caused by rubbing against another object
Chafe gear -- gear used to prevent damage by rubbingChronmeter - Ships clockCam cleat- A mechanical cleat used to hold a lineline automatically. It
uses two spring loaded cams that come together to clamp their teeth on the line,Camber-The arch
or slope deck , usually higher in the center so the water can drain off Also
known as round of beamCamel - Hollow vessel of iron, steel or wood, that is filled with water
and sunk under a vessel. When water is pumped out, the buoyancy of camel lifts
ship. Usually employed in pairs. At one time were usual means of lifting a
vessel over a bar or sandbank. 2. wooden float use between dock and
ship.Can Bouy - A cylindrical buoy painted green and having an odd number used
in the United States as a navigational aidCan Hooks - Two flat hooks running freely on a wire or chain sling. Hooks
are put under chime of casks, weight is taken on chain sling or wire. Weight of
lift prevents unhooking.Canal A manmade waterway used to connect bodies of water that do not
connect naturallyCanoe stern - A pointed stern, such as those on a canoeCanvas -- slang for sail. Originally sails were made of canvas.Capstan: - the drum-like part of the windlass, which is a machine used
for winding in rope, cables or chain connected to an anchor cargo.Capsize -To turn over.Captain-The person who is in charge of a vessel and
legally responsible for it and its occupants.Car - A sliding fitting that attaches to a track allowing for the
adjustment of blocks or other devices attached to the car.Cardinal points-The points of North, South, East and West as marked on a
compass roseCarline Wood stringer support for hatches and cabinsCarrick Bend-. - A knot used to tie two lines togetherCast Off - to release lines holding boat to shore or mooring, to release
sheets.Casting Line- A heaving lineCatamaran-A twin hulled boat.Catboat- - A sailboat rigged with one mast and one sailCatenary - The sag in a line strung between two points
such as the anchor line.Calk to fill wooden vessel seams with oakum and cotton using caulking
irons and hammerCaulking- Material used to seal the seams in a wooden vessel, making it
watertigh.Celestial navigation - to calculate your position using time, the
position of celestial bodies, and mathematical tablesCenterboard - a fin shaped, often removable, board that extends from the
bottom of the boat as a keelCenter line-- The imaginary line running from bow to
stern along the middle of the boat.Center of effort - The center of wind pressure on the sail planChecking - Longitudinal separation of the fibers in wood that do not go through the whole cross section. Checks result from tension stresses during the drying process.Chafe - damage to a line caused by rubbing against another objectChafe gear -- gear used to prevent damage by rubbingChain plate - A steel plate or bar by which the standing rigging is
attached to the hull.Chantey- also Chanty or Shanty - A shipboard song, or chant primarily on merchant ships during heavy work, such as turning the capstan or hoisting a sail, to help coordinate the men's efforts and to pass the time.Chandler- A dealer in provisions and equipment.Channel -1. That part of a body of water deep enough for navigation
through an area otherwise not suitable. It is usually marked by a single or
double line of buoys and sometimes by range markers.2. The deepest part of a
stream, bay, or strait, through which the main current flows.3. A name given to
a large strait, for example, the English Channel.Chart datum-- The water level used to record data on a
chartchart. Usually the average low tide water level.Chart table- - A table designated as the area in the
boat where the navigator will study charts and plot courses.Chart -A map for use by navigators.Chanty-
Shanties are the work songs that were used on the square-rigged ships of the Age
of Sail. Their rhythms coordinated the efforts of many sailors hauling on linesCharley noble: - galley stove-pipeCheck: To ease a rope a little, and then belay it..Cheek block-- A block with one end permanently attached
to a surface.such as on the sides of the mast.Chine -The intersection of the bottom and sides of a flat or v-bottomed
boat.Chock -A fitting through which anchor or mooring lines are led. Usually
U-shaped to reduce chafeChockablock-- When a line is pulled as tight as is can
go, as when two blocks are pulled together. also know as "two blocks"Chop-Small, steep disorderly waves.Cleat- A wood or metal fitting with two horn around which ropes are made fast.Clevis Pin- A metal pin used to attach fittings to each other or
their mountsClew- Lower aft corner of the fore and aft sail or the lower corners of a
sq sail.Clipper bow - A bow where the stem has a forward curve and sides have a
lot of flair. Also called a schooner bow.Close hauled - sails and boom pulled in tight, enabling the boat to point
as high as possible to the direction the wind is coming fromClose reach - Sailing with the wind coming from the
direction forward of the beam of the boat. A close reach is the point of sail
between a beam reach and close hauled.Close Reef - To reduce the size to the last reef point giving the minimum
sailing area. Clove
Hitch attach a rope to a pole, this knot provide a quick and secure
resultClipper was first a
generic name to describe a very fast sailing shipCoaming -- the raised border around the cockpit, or a hatch to keep out
waterCoaster- A vessel that keeps close to land.
Coast Guard -
is a national organization responsible for various
services at sea. However the term implies widely different responsibilities in
different countries. Among the responsibilities that may be entrusted to a coast
guard service are enforcement of Among the responsibilities that may be
entrusted to a coast guard service are enforcement of maritime law, maintenance
of seamarks border
control, and other services. During wartime coast guards might be
responsible for harbour defense, port security, naval counterintelligence and
coastal patrols.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
.36' motor lifeboat- that was designed
for the sole purpose of saving lives.
Cockpit - the area, below deck level, that is somewhat more protected
than the open deck, from which the tiller or wheel is handledCoil - To lay a rope down in circular turnsCompanionway -- staircase that leads to the cabinCompass -Navigation instrument, either magnetic (showing magnetic north)
or gyro (showing true north).Compass Card -Part of a compass, the card is graduated in degrees, to
conform with the magnetic meridian-referenced direction system inscribed with
direction which remains constant; the vessel turns, not the card.Compass rose -The resulting figure when the complete 360° directional
system is developed as a circle with each degree graduated upon it, and with the
000° indicated as True North. Also called true rose. This is printed on
nautical charts for determining direction.Colors-The national flag and or other flags.Cordage- Any rope or lineCourse -- compass heading or the angle of the boat in sailing against the
windCourtesy Flag- A smaller version of the flag of the
country being visited. It is flown from the starboard spreader.Cowl -The bell shape top of a ships or boats ventilator.Cringle- A fitting in a sail that allows a line to
fasten to itCrosstrees - horizontal pieces of wood or metal that cross the mast up
high, acting as spreaders for the topmast shrouds.Crow's Nest - protected look-out position high on the foremast
Crutch - A support for a spar when spar is no in use.
Current-The horizontal movement of water.Club footed jib - A jib with a boom or "club" on the foot of
the sail.Cutter-A sailboat with one mast and rigged a mainsail
and two headsails. Also see sloop.Cuddy - A small compartment or cabin